Carrying case for fishing rod and reel

Abstract

A carrying case for a fishing rod and reel comprises an elongate hollow tube that is closed at its first end and is adapted to receive a fishing rod therein from its open, second end. A reel receiving chamber is attached to the open, second end of the tube. The chamber has opposite sides, a closed top and a forward wall. An opening is provided in the forward wall of the chamber, with the opening being in alignment with the open end of the tube. The rearward end of the chamber is open such that a rod and an attached reel can be received through the open rearward end to position the rod in the tube and the reel in the chamber. A closure member fits against and closes the open rearward end of the chamber, with the closure member being pivotally connected to the sides of the chamber so that the closure member can be pivoted downwardly beneath the chamber to expose the open rearward end of the chamber.

We claim: 
     
       1. A carrying case for a fishing rod and reel, comprising: an elongate hollow tube that is closed at its first end and is adapted to receive a fishing rod therein from its open, second end;   a reel receiving chamber attached to the open, second end of said tube, said chamber having opposite, substantially planar sides, a closed top and a forward wall having an opening in alignment with the open end of said tube, with the rearward end of said chamber being open such that a rod and an attached reel can be received through the open rearward end of said chamber to position the rod in the tube and the reel in said chamber;   a closure member for fitting against and closing the open rearward end of said chamber; and   means for pivotally attaching said closure member to the sides of said chamber such that the closure member can be pivoted downwardly beneath said chamber to expose the open rearward end of said chamber, wherein the means for pivotally attaching the closure member to the sides of said chamber comprises side members extending from the closure member to lie alongside exterior surfaces of the sides of said chamber and a pair of pivot connectors for pivotally connecting said side members to the sides of said chamber.   
     
     
       2. A carrying case for a fishing rod and reel in accordance with claim 1, wherein there is further provided releasable locking means for retaining said closure member in its position closing the open rearward end of said chamber. 
     
     
       3. A carrying case for a fishing rod and reel comprising: an elongate hollow tube that is closed at its first end and is adapted to receive a fishing rod therein from its open, second end;   a reel receiving chamber attached to the open, second end of said tube, said chamber having opposite, substantially planar sides, a closed top and a forward wall having an opening in alignment with the open end of said tube, with the rearward end of said chamber being open such that a rod and an attached reel can be received through the open rearward end of said chamber to position the rod in the tube and the reel in said chamber;   a closure member for fitting against and closing the open rearward end of said chamber; and   means for pivotally attaching said closure member to the sides of said chamber such that the closure member can be pivoted downwardly beneath said chamber to expose the open rearward end of said chamber, wherein the means for pivotally attaching the closure member to the sides of said chamber comprises side members extending from the closure member to lie alongside exterior surfaces of the sides of said chamber and a pair of pivot connectors for pivotally connecting said side members to the sides of said chamber; and   releasable locking means fore retaining said closure member in its position closing the open rearward end of said chamber, wherein the releasable locking means comprises   an opening in at least one of the side members; and   a push button extending from said chamber to engage the opening in said side member when the closure member is in its position closing the open rearward end of said chamber.   wherein the push button can be depressed to release its engagement with said opening in the side member thereby allowing the side member to move in its pivotal movement relative to said chamber.